Updated Travel Guide: Sagada

Approximately five thousand feet above the sea is a small and tranquil town of Sagada in Mountain Province, 275 Kilometers north of Manila. A remote town with so much to offer to anyone who chooses to experience its distinct appeal. With its temperate weather, wondrous caves and cliffs, lofty rice terraces and waterfalls, luscious foods and delicacies, rich heritage and traditions, Sagada promises everyone an unforgettable and truly remarkable experience with nature and culture.

Sagada also embraces its visitors with the warm hospitality of the locals that complements the beauty of the place. Undoubtedly, the charm of this mountain town is still incomparable to most tourist destinations in the country, making it one of Lakwatsero’s favorite destinations, a home away from home, like most local and foreign tourists do. Whether you are a laid back traveler or more into adventure, young or old, Lakwatsero of any background and age, you definitely have a place here.

Sagada’s Hanging Coffins

How to Get There

There is no direct trip to Sagada from Manila, it can only be reached either via Baguio, Bontoc or Banawe with almost the same travel time and fare.

Via Baguio

Most bus companies heading to Northern Philippines have trips to Baguio. But Lakwatsero prefers Victory Liner, their Baguio bound buses leave the terminal (Manila, Pasay, Cubao and Caloocan) every hour. It is a five to six hours travel for P455.00. The most ideal time to travel is around 11:00 PM for you to reach their Baguio Terminal by 5:00AM the next day. Other bus Lines that ply to Baguio are:

From Victory Baguio Terminal, you may opt to go to GL Liner Terminal in Baguio Dangwa Terminal or in Lizardo Transit Terminal in Barangay Sto. Niño to catch a bus to Sagada. Both are just short taxi ride (around 10 minutes) for approximately P40.00 from Victory Liner Terminal. GL Liner has four trips daily starting at 6AM up to 1PM, while Lizardo Transit has only one schedule at 9:15AM.

If you have plenty of time, you can take a twenty ninute walk to the Baguio Dangwa Terminal which is just in front of Baguio City Public Market. Fare for both GL Liner and Lizardo Transit is P220.00 (student and senior citizen: P176.00), travel time takes around six (6) hours passing along the scenic Halsema Highway. Almost the entire stretch of the road to Sagada is paved and smooth. The bus will stop in front of Sagada Municipal Hall.

Sunrise over the sea of clouds at Kiltepan Viewpoint

Via Bontoc

Cable Tours used to operate Manila to Bontoc route but the right was sold to GV Florida Transport but following the fatal accident of Bontoc bound GV Florida Transport bus in Febuary 7, 2014, the right to operate was cancelled. To date, there is no bus company that operates direct Manila to Bontoc route.

Via Banaue

Banaue route is a good choice if you plan to drop by to the famous Rice Terraces of Banawe. Ohayami Bus and Dangwa Transit operate the Manila to Banaue route. Ohayami Bus Terminal is in the corner of Fajardo Street and Lacson Avenue in Sampaloc Manilla, near UST. Contact No: +639276493055 or (02)-5160501. You may also check out their website at: www.ohayamitrans.com.

Dangwa Transit Terminal in Manila is in Dangwa Flower Market along Dimasalang Street, Sampaloc Manila. From Banaue, ride a tricycle (P30.00) from the terminal to the Banaue town proper and catch a jeepney or bus to Bontoc for P150.00, travel time is approximately three (3) hours. The bus will stop near the Bontoc Municipal Hall. From there, ride a jeepney to Sagada for P45.00. You may opt to ride on the jeepney rooftop to enjoy the view and the sea of clouds of Bontoc and Bayyo.

Via Ilocos Sur

If you are coming from Ilocos Region, the best route is via Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road that connects Ilocos Sur and Cordillera. Taking this route involves three transfers from the town of Tagudin in Ilocos Sur. Local shuttle vans depart on regular intervals from as early as 6AM to as late as 5PM from Bitalag Junction to the town of Cervantes, fare is P150.00 and travel time is approximately two (2) hours on a scenic ride that passes through Besang Pass National Park.

At Cervantes, transfer to a Bontoc bound van stationed at the plaza or at Sitio Bulaga after Aluling Bridge. Vans to Bontoc leave as early as 6AM, with the last trip at around 2PM. There are local buses and jeepneys too from Cervantes Market to Bontoc. Ask the driver or conductor to drop you off at Sagada junction, fare is approximately P100 pesos, travel time is around an hour and a half.

From Sagada junction, you may catch a jeepney or bus bound to Sagada, it is only around 15 minutes ride.

Pongas Falls

Sagada Cemetery

Where to Stay

Since Sagada embraced tourism, a couple of inns and lodges sprouted in almost every corner of the town proper and surrounding area. But Lakwatsero’s top pick of course is the Residential Lodge, owned by very kind and accommodating Tita Mary Daoas (Contact No: +639296257419/+639196728744). It is a three-storey lodge equipped with free WiFi, with a common area per floor where guests could watch TV or interact with other guests. Room rate is as low as P250.00 per head per night for a room with common toilet and bath, and P300.00 per head per night for a room with own toilet and bath. Free coffee and tea for all

41 Comments on “Updated Travel Guide: Sagada”

hi,
i hhave set a plan of travelling to the northern part of luzon. like laoag, vigan and pagudpud by plane.
i was wondering if the plan of taking the bus from manila to laoag is possible with stopovers is doable.
the plan is:
manila- zambales (anawangin and the other coves)
zambales to baguio
baguio to sagada
sagada to pagudpud
pagudpud to laoag+vigan
and then back to laoag to manila by plane.
i was thinking setting a one travel schedule all the way to the north instead of seting an apart tour of pagudpud and sagada.